Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger died in an avalanche on Monday, December 23, the Swiss-Ski association said.

“Sophie Hediger, a member of the national snowboard cross team, died in an avalanche accident in Arosa on Monday at the age of just 26,” the association confirmed.

“We are stunned and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences,” said Swiss Ski Managing Director Walter Reusser.

“For the Swiss Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie Hediger has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas holidays,” continued Reusser. “We are incredibly sad. We will honor Sophie’s memory,” the CEO added.

The association asked for privacy for Hediger’s family and listed some of her achievements in the sport. In 2023 and 2024 she achieved her first two World Cup podium places and took second place at the World Cup dress rehearsal in St. Moritz.

On December 15, she excitedly posted about a current competition in Italy. “Fallen in the quarterfinals. 💁‍♀️🌨️ I’m happy about my riding and my best qualification I’ve ever had with 3rd place,” Hediger wrote in her caption.

According to the association, Hediger fulfilled one of her “sporting dreams” as a member of the Swiss national team at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.

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She also dreamed of winning a medal at the World Championships in Engadine, Switzerland, in March 2025.

“In consultation with the grieving family and their partner, Swiss-Ski will not provide any further information about the death of Sophie Hediger and asks that the privacy of the mourners be respected,” the association said in its statement.